As Major League Baseball prepares for opening day, a growing number of players are facing a sidelining injury: a fracture to the hamate bone in the hand. The increase in these injuries, many occurring during spring training, is prompting concern among medical professionals and teams.
Understanding the Hamate Injury
The hamate is a bone located in the palm of the hand. According to Dallas-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas DiLiberti, it’s positioned about a centimeter down and in from a bone you can sense near the wrist crease by your minor finger.
The Changing Swing and Injury Risk
Dr. DiLiberti explained that changes in batting techniques are contributing to the rise in hamate fractures. Players are now holding the bat further down the handle, increasing bat speed but also placing the “knob end” of the bat directly over the hamate bone. When a batter makes contact, torque can cause the bone to snap.
Impact on Performance
A fractured hamate can affect a player’s grip strength and swing, even after healing. Dr. DiLiberti noted that even a small change – 5 or 10 percent – in grip or swing mechanics could impact a professional athlete’s performance, as tendons wrap around the area of the bone.
Beyond the Pros
This injury isn’t limited to professional players. Dr. DiLiberti and his colleagues have also performed surgery on numerous high school athletes. Increased awareness, aided by social media, is leading to more attention being paid to hamate injuries at the high school and college levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bone is the hamate?
It’s one of the bones in the palm. It’s located about a centimeter farther down and in from a bone you can feel near the wrist crease by your small finger.
How are baseball players breaking this bone?
Players are holding the bat further down the handle, increasing bat speed and placing the knob end of the bat directly over the hamate bone. Torque from hitting the ball can then cause the bone to fracture.
Does this injury affect players after they heal?
A fractured hamate can affect a player’s grip and swing, even after healing, potentially impacting performance by even a small percentage.
As baseball continues to evolve, will teams and players find ways to mitigate the risk of hamate injuries even as still pursuing greater power at the plate?
